Key case



April 1s, 193s. W. R BUXTON 1,904,354

KEY CASE Filed sept. 8, 1930 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 18, 1933 -UNITEDzSTATESQ WARNER n. vBUX'roN, ,on Lo-NGivmAnow,

. :cHUsETrrs Y. c

" v KEY Application filed September v This invention relates to key cases and nioreparticularly'tothe means Vfor securing the key hooks in the case. The present improvement provides a'4 ready interchangeability of the key hooks and at the same time a positive locking of the'key hooks inthe case, with an increase in the strength of the securing means as a whole. These and other and further objects will more specifically; appear Afrom the following"specification l and claims. Y Y f V In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one embodiment of the invention- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a key case, showing the improved fastening means, parts being broken away to show the-structure;

Fig. 2is a section on an enlarged scale subA stantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the parts being in locked position; Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in position for removalof'the key hooks; y 'y Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional planfvie taken on the line of Fig; 3; Y c

Figs. 5 and- 6 are plan views showing the blanks from which the outer and inner'members, respectively, of the key fastening means are made; l Figs. 7 and 8 are top plan views'showing the outer and inner Amembers fin partially assembled relation,v Fig. 9 is a view taken similarlyto Fig. 1 and showing a modification; and

Fig. 10 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 2 and showing another modification.

v'Referring to the drawing, l0 designates the bodyof lthe 'case which may beef any desired form and to Vwhich the key hooks-are secured. The Ahook fastening means comprises aninner Ymember 1 1in the form'of a plate, one edge of which is bent into cylindrical form as'at 12. Member'll is secured to the cas-e 10 lin any suitable manner, as by rivets 9. The cylindrical portion 12 is cnt out to form one or more transverse slots13,

one for each key hook 15, and thewidthY` of) each slot is such as to permit free .play of the shank 14 of a key hook 15.'V` Each key hook is provided with a head 16 which isv substantially rball-shaped and "of greater diameter :Parar FFIcEf Mnssncmjsnrrs, Assis-Noa To nUX'frofN, INcoRroRATED, or sPRINGFIELn MAssAcHUsnTrs, A- conrona'rion or MAssA- casa" e, 1930. serial No. 480,391.

than the width of its slot 13. Each such slot is enlarged :it-1 7, on the side of thev cylindrical portion opposite the flat portion o f mem# ber 1 1, to permit' introduction ofthe head 16 into the interior of the cylindrical portion 12.

Positioned on inner member 11 is an outer member 19, also in the form of'a plate, hav-l` ing one edge bent into a partial cylinder v 20 of Va diameter to be telescoped -endwise von the inner member 11,' as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8,' and pivoted thereabout as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.' Outer member 19 is provided with slots 21 coinciding with slots 13 and of substantially the same width. Slots 21 are enlarged at 22 sufficiently to admit the ball head 16 of a key hook. Vhenthe mem- -ber 19 is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 3 openings 17 register'with openings 22 and permit the insertion or removal of the head of a key hook. Nhen the parts are in their normal position, shown in Fig. 2,tl1e openings 1? and22`are out of registration and the key V'hooks are locked in, and against removal from', the innerl cylinder, although l each is free to be rotated `about its own vaxis or vtol be swung to any position along its slot 13; Preferably the ii'at portion ofou'te'r member 19 is slightly longer thanV the iiat portionfof `member 1'1, providing lan overhanging edge 23 (Figs. l and 8) to -facilitate raising the outer member into position for the insertion or removal of the keyhooks. T he arcuate length'of the cylindrical portion 20 is such that when the openings 17 and 22 are in alignment 'its freevedge 24 abuts the flat under face of member 11, as vshown in Fig. 3, so that theunloeking position isf at the limit' ofl upward movement 'of member As will'beapparent from Fig. 2, 4the hea/d 16 of the key hook engages onlyi the: walls of the inner member 11, and that the weight', position, or manipulation of the keys have no tendency to move the outer member'19 from Vlocking position. This tendencyof the member 19 to rest inert, until intentionally manipulated, is aided by the leather of the ke case bearinon on-the outer edge 24 of member 19, as shown in Fig. 2. 1 As an alternative or-in additionto this arentirety. Particularly theend portions, as 25 and 26 of members 12 and 20, respective-` ly, are not concentric with the remaining portions which are cylindrical. In consequence, when the member' 20 is swung on i member 12 from the positionV shown in Fig.

3 to' that shown in Fig. 2,v the portion 2G of member. 20 will be caused to bear tightly against the cylindrical portion of member 12,.while when the members occupy the relativepositions shown in Fig. 3 there is no substantial amount of frictional engagement betweeny them so that the member 20, after hooks 15l are.' removed, can be freely slid endwise on `member 12.

The invention makespossible a strong-er and morewsatisfactory construction of the supporting :plate for thev hey holders .15. The plate 11 need no longer be formed with open ended slots, as'v formerly, butinstead slots'13', closed at both ends, asshown lin Fig. 6, maybe used. According to prior practiceyopen ended slots were used to enableth'e key holders 15 to be in place before the Vcylindrical portion, corresponding to portion 412,- was completely rolled into final form. vThis construction had the objection thatthe side walls of the slots might spread apart near` the outer edge ofthe plate because ofthe lack of any' connecting portion, such as 27 in Fig. 6,-to tie the wallstogether. With the present construction, spreading. of the walls of the slots 13, as sometimes occurred in prior key'casesdue to a sidewise swinging of the lreyholders-(as from yleft fo right'in' Fig. l) or other reasons, isprevented.` Such spreading 'of the walls, of course, might. result in the release of a hook lxfromthe cylinderin which it is supposed to beconfined.y If, however, the old construction is used, with openvended slots 13 as shown in Fig; 1.0) spreading of these walls near the-ends 28 would be prevented by the overlying member 19. 'Before the ends 28 could be sprung sidewise (in a direction axiallyofthe cylinder12) the 1side walls of slotsf21 in plate 19 would have-t0 be spread, andthis is resisted by the solid, unslotted, lower portion of plate 19.

.Asshown herein, thecase proper,usually arleatherfolder such as- 10, has'an inside flap 10', and plate 11 is secured by rivets 9 to' this part rather than directly to the outer partlO. This `member 10 Visstitched, as at 29, or otherwise secure-d to member 10 with freedom' to..move relatively. thereto.

As shown,member 10 is stitched along one end edge only. This construction has an advantage where a plate such as 11 is used. The cylindrical portion 12 is oset toward the leather caselO from the body of the plate and Vtends to produce a 'bulge in the leathercase. vBy the use .of flap 10 or its equivalent much of the bulging is made to occur in the flap and inside the case where it doesnt show, as will be c lear'from Figs'. 2 and 3, rather than inthe folder'l() itself.

The ball head 16 is usually constructed by bending over one end of the shank 14 of the key holder. I may make this head slightly elliptical, asviewed in Fig. 4, so that it will not readily pass through the enlargements 17 and-22, when thehook is positioned asin Fig. l or as shown in full linesin Fig.. 3. This tends to prevent all of the hooks falling4 out when. the platev 19is raised to the position shown in Fig. 3 because the major axis ofthe elliptical-head is slightly greater than the diameterof hole 17. By liftinga hook 15 into the. dotted line positionshown inl Fig..3, thehead 16 is turnedso that the minor aXis of its elliptical part is presented to hole 17 and, since such axis is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole, the yhead 16 can be drawn through it.

v In themodified form shown in 9the outer member A19` is c utinto` a plurality of members 19, one for each key hook. The construction of the inner member 11 iseXactly the same in the modified formas in the form. previously described .and theV4 arl rangement-of the slots in both the outer and inner members is the same. The modified, formhas the advantage thatone keyhook may be removed or inserted without disturb-` ing the other keys and hooks. inthe case.

From the foregoing description the operationfand advantagesA of the new .structure will be generally apparent. aspects of the invention that may be clearer through special mention.

eoL

There are some i The. form of the f invention as shown embodies the structure,

of a' widely used key case withmy improvements added. For example, the key ease shown in Fig. 1, if the enlarged openings 17 in slots 13 and the part 19 were entirely omit.

ted,would be insubstantially the sameform as key case structure which I have commer-v cialized and which is-'now in wideuse. this formthe side flaps of the case are buttonedin overlapping relation over the keys onthe hooks held in plate 11. To embody my present invention I provide the enlarged points17 at the top of slots 13, as seen in Fig. 1. In addition, lI roll-the, plate v11 at theupper end into a cylinder which is not quite tangent to the flat portion of plate 11. The slight off-set is shown as extending downwardly in Fig. 2- and `has a particular purpose. prior structure so far has been changed very It willbe seen that the In f.

little Itnvill fact eXactly as herei `)forcencept when a key hook 15 (one in eacli` slot 13) isturned-to vert-ical position that hook with its,4v key can be taken out of the case. y,Theball endflof the vhook can now pass through enlarged point 17 of the slot. There is-a con-4 siderable advantage in thus removing the key ,With its hook vfrom the key case. But

' suchseparation would bea real fault if it oc-v curre'daccidentally.v Such separation has occurred accidentally even without the provisionv of the enlarged point 17 vin the slot 13. Ithas occurred upon the unintended spreading of a slot 13 far enough to let the hook head 16- `passthrough. Heretofore, the plate 11 has been formed with slots 13 openat'one end, thenthe hooks l5 have been put on the plate. andv the cylinder l12 bent around from plate -lluntil "the end Vwith the open slots 13 abuts the plate as at 28 in F ig. 10.y But after manufacture in this convenient-fashion the strains and `pulls ofthe books and abuse of plate =11 havesometimes caused one or more slots 13 to open far enough to let the hooks slip out.'l H Y 'L According to my' present .inventionI providethev plate `19-with its cylindrical portion 2O tonormallylock the .hooks inxplatey 11 against the possibility of accidentalgseparation which I have described. In the position ofthe parts shown in F ig. 2, each'hook 15 may be operatedy to bring its key lout of the casefor ruse. Even vif. all the hooks with their keysare flopped outU there is no drag by head'16 to turn -plate19, as heads 16 only Contact plate 11 on :theunder sideofy the slots 13:1 vllVhen any head: reaches enlargement 17 for contact with plate .19 such Contact would only hold' plate 19 in its normal position. Furthermore, the friction contact of the cylindrical portion 20 with the body of the case at point 241, and thefriction of part 26 on member 12, give an additional tendency to hold plate l19 against unintentional turning.

No' matter what the strains 'are with the 'plates 11 and 19 in the positions shownl in Fig. 2 the key hooks eannot'slipout unless the :parts are broken'. yThe former accidental enlargements atythe endsofslots 13 are completelyrguarded-against by vplate 19. The cylindrical portion 2O lwith Iits Vslots 21 coinciding with slots v'13 but with the enlarged'points 22 of slots 21 offset with respect to the enlarged points 17 of slots 13 permits all the normal movements of the'key hooks exactly as heretofore, rbut with the'xlocked feature'added. Y Except in the latter security, the key kcase is exactly'whatv it was before they present invention, as `plate 19 and cylinder 20 are normally `anfinert security means.

As an additional feature of my invention,v fIfh'aveV p'rovidedplate 19 and plate l1 with means toge'nable the' individualremoval or replacement of the key hooks in a simple fashionsothat the vordinary user can readily by vabuse so as to let a key slip olf the hook. i

The usermight lnotice ythe chance for lthis bythe distorted:appearance of the hook but rathertl'ian buya new key case he would take a chance andfcontinue the use ofhis old one.v

Vario usmeans for replacing individual hooks have been heretofore proposed but so far as I know they havenot gone into general use. By my present invention I have preserved all the `advantages of the widely". used key case and added the feature of means to remove or replace the hook in such a simple fashion asto be unobjectionable,because it does not interfere with the common and ordinary use that has loecomecustomaryn in this kind of structure. v v i I show this feature particularly in lFigs. 2 and 3, and it is clearv that the yuserlcan lift plate "19h-y inserting' the linger under extension 23., he movementy takes place until the end of the cylinderv abuts the back of plate 11V at pointf24. This is the Vposition of the'parts whereenlarged point 22 of each slot 21 coincides withenlarged pointl'of each 'slot 13. Any'key hook can be removed through these enlargedpoints 17-and-22temf poralrily coinciding. A new hook may-be in-` serted and the 4parts yreturned to the relative position of Fig. 2. The' simplicity of the means andthe operi ation described has a special advantage in ico this respect. A user may use the ysame key case.` and more conveniently change keys than' heretofore. vIt hasbeen the'habit of some users-to yput fmore than-onekey on a key hoek. The overloading. of the individual hooks has been one causeof the distortion by which a key sometimes slips olf the hook. The users"habit is due in partto va tendency toruse thekeyv case for. storing seldomlused keys. Now, by rendering it much easier than it has been to take off and put on the case support an individual key, such keys can be rseparately stored and put in the jkeyf'case only over the 'periods .of need. AIt may seem thatthe key could be puton and taken oil;l

the hookr 15- just as easily vas to take the hook Volf the case and put on another. But this is not so beca'useltheA hook'l is made of very stiff spring metal and desirably sov since the springend with its' hump resists to a considerable degree the'entrance and eX'it ofthe key head. LIt is much simpler by myy improved means to put a key and hook in the key case than to put the key on the hook'. A user can by the new arrangement readily interchangevhooks and keys from one key case to"another or from a storagefrack'to and froma key case. f

This facility` of putting the ykeyY hook on the vkey case at any time gives 'amanufacs turing advantage.. In the key case I have been manufacturing the hooks are put in the supporting cylinder before the latter is formed. Withmy new arrangement I can form the entire key case and all its parts beforefthe key hooks are assembled. .Then I can telescopically slide plate 19, lift it into the position of Fig. 3, and put the hooks in then Afor the first time. Asv long as one hook isinserted plates 11 and 19 are locked against endwise movement. rIhis makes for a better original assembly Voperation of the parts desired in the key case.

-I have found from investigation that some people object to carrying their keys in the commonly used key case as compared to the ordinary key ring because the latter carries a very large number of keys or a small number and the over-all bulk varies directly with the number carried. The key case custom is to use cases of different sizes, as a 2,11, 6, or 8 hook case. .One of the ideas of the present invention is to make it so easy for the user to arrange his keys with my invention that he will use key cases either in a more convenient manner and under better practice than heretofore, or in the event that he has preferred to use key rings will now more readily change to key cases. As an example of improved practice for the individual user, a twohook key case may carry .his auto ignition and door lock or tire lock keys, a four-hook case may carry his home, office, desk, and safe keys, a six-hook case the next six most com-V monly used keys, and aneightfhook case the next eight most commonly used keys, and if he has more keys they are put in additional cases. Each of these key cases are of pocket size. Arranged in this order the user has all his keys in readily accessible form. But for the most part he does not want to carry on his person all his keys at all times. My new structure makes it exceedingly easy to slip out a desiredkey and hook without the slightest resistance from one case and interchange it with one from anotherv key case. VWith this facility provided, the individual can and more readily will carry on his person only those keys needed. I-Ie will be less disposed to overload a single key case. I-Ie will not runthe same liability of distorting his key case as he has sometimes heretofore by many unhooking and hooking-on operations of keys onthe same key case. By the new arrangement he will find it about as easy to put the desired key on his key case as it is to put the same key in any other convenient resting place. 'Y

There are many phases of use in which the new structure is of definite advantage over prior structures in key cases. What has been said will indicate the fact that while the device of the improvement is simple,'what it will accomplish is understood better from an analysisl of its function in its various aspects than a View of the mere mechanicaly form-A as showny in its preferred embodiment. Having described my invention in its pre# ferred form with one modification, I desire to claim it as broadly as the state of therprior art admits. v

' I claim 1. A device `forremovably securing a key hook, having an enlarged head, in a key `case thereafter moved out of registration to lock the hooks in the slots.

2. A device for removably securing ia key hook, havingan enlarged head, inl-a key case which comprises an inner plate member having one edge bent into hollow cylindrical form and adapted to be securedto thebody of a key case, vanouter plate member havingone edge bent around the cylindrical. Vportion of the inner member to have a limited pivotal movement about the latter,,registeringfslots formed in the cylindrical portions of said members adapted to receive the shank of the key hook and of a width to permit free swivel movement and travel of the hook in the slots, enlarged openings formed intheslotsand positioned to be brought into registration-,for`

the. introduction or removal of the enlarged head of the key hook .when the plate members are rotated to the point of maximum separation, and to be moved out of registration; to lock the hooks in the slots when the plates are moved towards each other.

3. A devicefor removably securing a key hook,.having an enlarged head, in a. key ,case which comprises an inner plate member having one edge bent into hollow cylindrical form and-adapted to be secured to the body of a key case, an outer ,plate .member having one edge bent around the. cylindrical portion of the inner member to hinge the plate to;- gether, registering slots formed inthe cylindrical portions of said. members adapted to receive the shank of thekey hook and of a width to permit free swivel movement and travel of the hook in the slots, the slotin the inner member opening to the free edge'of the bent portionv of said `member and. being bridged by the flat portion of the outer member when the .flat portions ofthe inner and outer members are inv contact, enlarged openings formed in the slots and positioned to be brought into registration for the introduction or removal of the enlarged head of the key hook and to be moved out of registration to prevent removal of said head 'at all other and terminating in an; enlarged o-pening,.said

slots being adapted to receive theshanks of the keyhooks Vand of a width topermitsfree swivel movement and travel ofthe booksv in the slots, the enlarged terminal opening being of lsuilicient size to admit the enlarged head of the key hook, an outer plate positioned onthe inner plate and having one edge. bent around the lower plate'tohinge the plates together, the bent portion of the outer plate being of such extent that its free edge engages the flat portion of the .inne-r plate vwhen the outer platevis pivoted substantially .90o from the Y lower plate, slots formed in the bent portion ofthe outer plate,.said slots being of the same size and registering with the slots in the inner plate and extending from adjacent the free edge of the outer plate to the unbent portion of the latter, said unbent portion bridging the open ends of the slots of the inner member when the plates are in contact, and an enlarged opening of sutlicient size to admit the enlarged head of the key hook formed in each slot in the outer member in position to register with the enlarged terminal openings in the inner member when the plates are positioned at their point of maximum separation.

5. A key case structure comprising, twoV plates arranged for telescopic assembly, aset of slots arranged along each plate, means adapted to extend through said slots and support keys, each slot in each plate having an entrance for said means normallyL closed by the other plate when the plates are assembled and lying one flat against the other, said plates having means by which they may be pivotally moved to uncover said entrances in both plates for the insertion or removal of the key holding means, said first-named means by extending through said slots preventing relative endwise movement of said plates.

6. A key case comprising a foldable cover, a supporting plate fastened along the top side of one cover panel, a cylindrical portion along the top side of said plate, said portion having a set of spaced slots transversely thereof from top to bottom, said slots having an enlarged entrance only at the top side of the cylindrical portion, a cover plate movably mounted on and formed generally like the supporting plate and having corresponding slots but with the enlarged entrances thereto offset downwardly with respect to those in the supporting' plate, whereby when the cover Aplate is lifted to make the entrance points of the slot coincide, key retaining members may be put in or removed from the slots, and key retaining members for said purpose.

7. A key case comprising a foldable cover, a supporting plate fastened along the top side of the Lcover panel,'aY cylindrical portion alongthe top side of said plate, said portion f having a setfof spaced slots transversely thereof from top to bottom, said slots having an enlarged entrance only at the vtop side of the cylindrical portion', a cover plate movably mounted on and formed generally like the supporting plate and having corresponding slots but with-the enlarged entrances thereto offset downwardly with respect to thosein'the supporting plate, whereby when the cover plate is lifted zo make the entrance points of the slot coincide, -key retaining members may be putin o r removed fromfthe slots, key retaining members for said purpose, the cover plate having its lower edge overlappingthe lower edge of the supporting plate sol as to be readily lifted therefrom.

8. In a key Case a. foldable` cover member,

a stiff supporting plate fastened near the upper end of one cover panel, the edge of thev plate being curled into a cylinder along its upper edge, a similar plate telescopicallyassembled-to overlie the first plateand free to hinge on itsA underlying cylinder but notto bev lifted out of telescopic registration therewith, a set of slotsv extending -through both cylinders and normally in registration, each pair of slots having normally offset entrances thereto', said entrances positioned to be in alignment when the upper plate is pivotally moved 'about ythe lower plate so as to make a substantial angle with the cover paneland at all other times to bey out of alignment, key retainingmembers which may vbeinserted and lremoved from the supporting plate only when the entrances to the slots are in alignment. j

9. In a key case a cylindrical supporting member, a coaxially arranged. cylindrical Y locking member having an open Ylongitudinal portion topermit a limited rotary movement of the locking cylinder on the outside ofthe supporting member, eachv cylinder having a plate extension adapted to be brought-into parallel contacting relationand into angular relationby said rotary movement, limited transverse slots in said cylinders arranged to coincide and having enlarged points arranged to be offset circumferentially of the cylinders when the plate extensions are parallel and at all times until the .plates are manually separated through a substantial angle. i

10.v A' key case structure, comprising, a plate having a slot therein closed vat both ends and having one end including the slotted portion rolled into the form of a substantially cylindrical-memberwith the axis-thereof disposedtransversely to the slot,'fa key holder havinga shank of a width to pass freely along the slot from end to-end thereof and an enlarged head tolie within the cylindrical member, said slot having atone point anl enlargemen-t sufficient to allow said head to pass therethrough, a second kand partly cylindrical member telescoped over the `first member and turnable thereon, said second member having a slot to coincide with the first named slot and an enlargement ateney point in its slot to register with the iirst namedenlargement when said members are relatively turned into one position, whereby'the head o-f the key holder may be passed through the registering enlargements'and into or out fof the interior of said first named member, said members beingrelatively turnable into another position wherein the enlargements are moved out of registration and the head locked within the cylindricalfmember.

1l. A key case structure, comprising, a plate having a slot/therein closed at both ends and having one end including the slotted portion'rolled into the form vof a substantially cylindrical member with the vaxis thereof disposed ytransversely to the slot, `a key holder having a shank of a width to pass freely alongthe slot from end to end thereof and an enlarged head to lie Within the cylindrical member, said slot having at one point van en* largement sufficient to allow said head to pass therethrough, a second and partly cylindrical member telescoped over the first member and turnable thereon, said second member havingl a slot to coincide lwith the first named slot and anzenlargement at'one point in its slot to register With the first named enlarge ment when said members are relatively turned into one position, whereby the head of the key holder may be passed through the registering enlargements and into or out of the interior offsaid iirst named member, said members beingrelatively turnable into an-v other position wherein the enlargementsare moved out lof registration and the `head lockedwithin'the 'cylindrical member, and means onv one of said members cooperating with'the'other member to retain the engaged members in the last-named' position.

l2.' In a key case a cylindrical supporting member, a coaxially, arranged cylindrical locking member having anl open longitudinal portion to permit a limited rotary movement u' of the locking cylinder on the'outside of the supportingy member, each lcylinder having' a plate extension adaptedto bebrought into parallel contacting4 relation andl into angular relation b-y said rotary movement, limited transverse slots-in4 said cylinders arranged toe coincide and having'enlarged points arranged `to` be offset circumferentially 'of the cylindersvvhen -theplate extensions are paralleland at all times until the plates are manually-,separated through substantial supporting member', lea'c'h cylinder'having a plate extension adapted to be-brought into parallel contacting'relationand into angular relation by said `rotary movement, limited transverse slots insaid cylinders arranged to coincide land `having venlarged points v arranged to be oifset circumferentially of the cyl-v inders when the plate extensions are parallel and at all times until the plates are'manually separated through a substantial angle, said members being freely slidable when vthe plate extensions are separated -by a Vsubstantial angle, and means for creating a friction hold between said members When'the members are turned'so that said extensions lie in parallel relation. Y i

In testimony `whereof I havel affixed my signature;

TWARNER R. BUXTON.

ASi) 

